Forest of Dean District Council supporting residents through cost of living crisis
Forest of Dean District Council is working alongside partners to deliver funding, including over £165,000 in supermarket vouchers in the past 12 months, as well as advice and support to communities across the district.
Leader of Forest of Dean District Council, Cllr Tim Gwilliam said:
“As a Council we’ve been working hard with partners to provide our communities with the funding they need, as well as supplying help and information where required to ensure that the correct support is distributed where it’s needed most.
“Last year, the Council provided over £165,000 in supermarket vouchers to residents in need, including those in receipt of pension credit and council tax support and families who are not eligible for free school meals or any means tested benefits, but required assistance with food support. In 2023, we will be supporting further groups with supermarket vouchers to help our residents navigate this tough period. All of this has been made possible using our allocation of the Government’s Household Support Fund.
“These are challenging times for all of us, please remember that it’s okay to ask for help and to reach out if you’re struggling. Further information on the help available to you can be found on the Council’s dedicated cost of living web page.”
The Council has begun to distribute further food support through the Household Support Fund at the start of 2023, so far allocating over £85,000 to groups including unpaid carers who are registered with Gloucestershire Carers Hub and recipients of council tax support in bands one, two and three, with at least one child.
As well as supporting residents directly, Forest of Dean District Council has also distributed over £50,000 in funding from the Forest of Dean Integrated Locality Partnership Community Investment Fund to local groups and organisations, including Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF), Age UK and the Salvation Army, amongst many others.
This funding has helped to extend the provision of Warm Spaces in the Forest of Dean, widen the funding available for families through the Holiday Activity & Food Programme and provide support services to the community around mental health & wellbeing support.
Chief Executive Officer at Forest Voluntary Action Forum, Chris Brown said:
“The funding provided by the Forest of Dean District Council has been and will continue to be invaluable to many residents across the Forest.
“Using funding from the Household Support and Community Investment Funds we’ve been able to provide assistance to many residents, communities and organisations, helping to provide warm spaces, activities and food support to those in our community who are most in need.
“We’re looking forward to continuing our partnership with the Forest of Dean District Council and working together to strengthen and enhance our communities in the Forest of Dean.”
2023 will also see Forest of Dean District Council working with food clubs including inclusive lunch and supper clubs and providing financial support by providing £13,000 to groups in the area looking to provide this assistance to residents. So far, seven groups have agreed funding with the Council, with further groups being reviewed and agreed weekly.
Deputy Leader of Forest of Dean District Council and Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Paul Hiett said:
“The cost of living crisis has had and will continue to have a huge impact on many people across the district and through providing financial assistance, advice and information we want to help as many people as we possibly can receive the support they need.
“The work being done by our Communities Team with local groups and organisations will help people across the Forest and I’d like to thank all of the officers involved and ask that anybody looking for assistance, please get in touch and find out what help we can provide.”
If any local organisations are interested in becoming a Warm Welcome Space, or if residents would like to find out more about their nearest space, please click here: https://www.warmwelcome.uk/
To find out more about the help that is available, through Government, or the District Council, please click the link below for our dedicated cost of living pages:
https://www.fdean.gov.uk/council-tax-and-benefits/help-if-you-re-struggling-with-living-costs/